Train in the Way of Stillness and Strength
The 2026 Class is full. Please send an email to be added to the waiting list for the next Beginning Tai Chi class.
2027 Beginning Tai Chi Course
Start Date: To be Announced
Days: Monday and Thursday
Time: 5:00-6:00pm
Location: Unity Church, 2871 Churn Creek Rd. (located in the rear of the “Park Plaza” business park), Redding, CA 96002 (entrance to Park Plaza is next to the new “Roots”)
About This Course:
This is a structured, step-by-step course in traditional Yang-style Tai Chi. Students must begin at the start and attend regularly to progress through the complete form.
Only one beginning course offered in 2027.
Ages: 16 – 80+
Fee: $60/month
To Register: email your name and contact information to taichi@reddingtaichi.com or call (530) 223-2346.
Note: Masks are optional in class.
Learn Traditional Yang-Style Tai Chi
Tai Chi isn’t just slow-motion exercise. It’s a 400-year-old martial art that fuses internal power, whole-body movement, and Taoist longevity principles into a system of personal transformation.
In this course, you’ll learn the Yang Style Long Form—a complete sequence of traditional self-defense movements that develop balance, stability, coordination, and presence. More importantly, Tai Chi trains you to respond to pressure—not with tension, but with structure and clarity.
What This Class Is:
A traditional Yang-style Tai Chi course taught step by step over approximately seven months. You’ll learn:
- The complete long form with martial applications explained for deeper understanding
- How to move fluidly and develop whole-body awareness
- Balance, coordination, and relaxation through mindful movement
- A practice you can continue for a lifetime
This is a progressive, structured course—not a drop-in class. Each class builds on the previous one, with one or two new movements introduced per session.
The Tai Chi form is taught in three sections.
The First Section takes approximately two months to learn and introduces the fundamental principles of movement, posture, balance, and coordination. Once learned, it provides a complete exercise routine that takes about 5–8 minutes to practice.
For students who wish to continue, the Second and Third Sections introduce more challenging movements and deeper refinement of the form. Learning all three sections creates a complete practice that takes approximately 35 minutes to perform.
Regular attendance and home practice are important for steady progress.
The Environment:
Supportive and non-competitive. Students of all fitness levels are welcome. Progress is individual and comes with time and consistent practice.
After Completing the Form:
Continuing students have the opportunity to learn Tai Chi Sword and Push Hands which build on the foundational principles of the long form.
Is This Class Right for You?
To help you decide, consider these questions honestly:
- Am I willing to commit to a structured class over several months?
- Can I practice regularly outside of class to reinforce what I learn?
- Am I patient with step-by-step learning and repetition?
- Am I interested in traditional martial arts practice rather than a quick fitness routine?
- Am I open to constructive feedback and martial explanations of movements?
- Am I ready to stay engaged through challenges and trust the gradual process?
If most answers are “yes,” you’ll likely thrive in this class. Many students report that Tai Chi has significantly improved their balance, stress levels, and overall well-being.
No experience or special equipment needed—just comfortable clothing and a commitment to showing up.
About the Instructor:
Led by Michel Czehatowski, a lifelong practitioner and teacher of traditional Yang-style Tai Chi.
This is the only beginning Tai Chi course offered in 2027. Class size is limited to ensure individual attention.
Tai Chi at the Sundial Bridge (Winter 2021)
Once you complete the class and have learned the Long form, there is still more to learn.
The true benefits of Tai Chi become apparent as you integrate it into your daily routine, making it a lifelong practice. After learning the three sections of the Yang style Long form, you have several options to continue:
1. You can choose to repeat the Beginning class. Doing so will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the movements, which is especially recommended if you don’t feel confident enough to practice the form independently. You can repeat the Beginning class as many times as you want.
2. Advance to the Intermediate Class, and learn non-competitive Push Hands (tui shou) or Tai Chi Sword. Push Hands is a two-person movement sequence that deepens your practical understanding of Tai Chi principles and enhances your overall Tai Chi practice. The sword form expands your ability in Tai Chi with new movements and techniques. In the intermediate class, we always practice the whole Long form in each session.
3. Join our weekly practice sessions at Enterprise Park (near the Kid’s Kingdom playground), held every Saturday from 8-9 am. Attendance is free, and everyone, at whatever level, newbie to seasoned practitioner, is welcome to join in.
4. Take part in our sponsored events, such as World Tai Chi Day.
Push Hands (Tui Shou)
This is an intermediate level class is for those that have already learned the three sections of the single movements (Hand form) and practice it regularly. The application of the principles of Tai Chi is learned by working with a partner which is considered the Heaven level of advanced study. Students will learn Single Push Hands, Double Push Hands, Stepping Push Hands, and Da Lu (Big Rollback). In addition, other two person movements taken from the single movements will be taught. The two person movements are taught in a non-competitive manner so that students can learn listening (ting), yielding, adhering, sticking, and following. The emphasis is learning to be soft and light so that you can increase your awareness of movement. This class lasts six months and is a prerequisite for learning the two person set of movements called San Shou.
Form without function has no adaptability. Function without form has no foundation. Therefore form and function should be together for it to be foolproof. Practicing the Solo Set is the work of knowing the self. Practicing the Push Hands exercises is the work of knowing the opponent.
– Sun Fuquan (Lutang), A Study of Taiji Boxing, June, 1921
San Shou
This is an advanced level class and is for those who know the single movements very well, are familiar with Push Hands, and are committed to learning this form. San Shou is a two person form that takes the study of Tai Chi up to the higher levels. Students will advance their skills in the basics learned in the Single Movements and Push Hands classes by learning the applications of the Tai Chi Movements in this two person form. Both sides of the form will be taught plus there will be more emphasis on listening (ting), adhering, following, and developing the light and soft characteristics that Tai Chi is known for. This class is approximately one year long.
Here is a link to a translation of a Tai Chi manual describing
If you have questions about what is taught or if you want to get on a list for the next class, please send an email to: taichi@reddingtaichi.com
“I really enjoyed the classes, I am planning to continue and look forward to meeting you sometime. Zoom was great, it was like having a private teacher. And it was so nice to have the emails available to practice whenever I had a little time… I liked the way you taught the class as well. The amount to learn was just right. Even if I had a little trouble during the class, (like doing brush knee to the right, my brain only wanted to go left), with the emails and practicing a few times every day, I was able to learn it. I always looked forward to the next class… thanks again…”
— Pam
“The Zoom format works really well for me because I can see the nuances of the movements very clearly. It actually feels almost as if I’m receiving private instruction. Also, because there are no distractions, I find the experience to be more tranquil and meditative than when I’m in a group setting.”
— Sheila H.
Redding Tai Chi 